How Indian exposed Pakistan lies in the unique tri-services joint press briefing - all you need to know.
The Indian Army, Air Force and Navy came together on Thursday to expose Pakistan in a unique tri-services joint press briefing. The joint press briefing called out Pakistan for lying about not using any F-16 fighter jets in its operation inside Indian territory on Wednesday. India had confirmed that it had shot down an F-16 warplane of Pakistan while it lost a MiG 21 during the fierce engagement between the air forces of the two countries along the Line of Control (LoC). However, Pakistan has been denying that they have used F-16s during the operation as well as the downing of one F-16 plane by India.
The Indian forces also expressed happiness that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who had landed in Pakistan after his plane was hit, will be released on Friday.
Here are the highlights of the joint press briefing:
1. Pakistan wanted to target military installations
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Pakistan's lie: Pakistan had claimed that its air force did not target the Indian military installations during Wednesday's air intrusion.
There is no doubt that Pakistan Air Force tried to target military installations in India— He added that the strikes missed the target. "Although PAF jets dropped bombs, they were not able to cause any damage," said Air Vice Marshal (AVM) RGK Kapoor. Indian Army's Major General Surinder Bahl said, "They specifically targeted our defence establishments. But there were effective, curative response given by the Indian forces. Ground defence forces are on high alert all along the IB."
(Image: Bir Bahadur/DNA)
2. Pakistan did lose F16 aircraft
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Pakistan's lie: Pakistan had denied using F-16 planes in the attack. It has also said that no Pakistan plane was shot down by India.
Air Vice Marshal (AVM) RGK Kapoor said that IAF fighters were tasked to intercept the intruding Pakistan attack and managed to thwart them. He said that one Pakistani F-16 was shot down by an IAF MiG-21 Bison Aircraft and parts of F-16 have been recovered, inside Indian area in East of Rajouri. The chiefs of the armed forces then presented part of the cover of AARAM missile fired from Pakistani F-16 aircraft found near LoC.
(Image: Bir Bahadur/DNA)
3. India lost only one aircraft
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Pakistan's lie: India lost more than one aircraft.
Air Vice Marshal (AVM) RGK Kapoor said that Pakistan has repeatedlly changed the number of Indian aircrafts it claimed to have shot down. Earlier, they said they had shot three Indian planes, then changes it to two. He said that India had only lost one MiG aircraft. AVM Kapoor added that IAF is happy that Wing Commander Abhinandan is returning home.
(Image: Bir Bahadur/DNA)
4. India hit the intended target in Balakot air strikes
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Pakistan's lie: India did not hit their target during IAF air strikes in Balakot on Tuesday and just managed to drop bombs in empty fields and forest.
AVM Kapoor confirmed that 'whatever we intended to destroy we got that result' when asked about the air strikes in Pakistan. He added said that it was premature to say how many people died in the strike. The joint press briefing added that 'we have evidence to show that whatever we wanted to do and targets we wanted to destroy, we have done that. The decision to show the evidence is with senior leadership.
(Image: Bir Bahadur/DNA)
5. Pakistan is violating ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir
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Pakistan's lie: Pakistan is calling for 'peace' and de-escalation
When asked about Pakistan's talks of de-escalation and the measures taken by the Indian forces, the representatives of armed forces said that Pakistan has been violating ceasefire at LoC and border. Army's Major General SS Mahal said, "Escalation of tension done by Pakistan when they targeted our military establishments. India is prepared for any contingency if the enemy provokes us."
(Image: Bir Bahadur/DNA)
